Manhattan Office - (212) 996-1900

Bunions Are Not Funions

Like an onion, a bunion can make you cry, because they can hurt and also because they’re so darn ugly. I know. I have one.

Let’s dive into the world of bunions.

What are bunions? A bunion is a lump protruding from the area right below your big toe joint.

Wow, that does sound ugly. How do you get them? Imagine someone constantly pushing your big toe in towards the rest of your toe. As that happens, the first metatarsal bone, the bone below the toe, is forced outward. That creates the lump of bone known as a bunion. When the little toe is pushed inward, that forces out the fifth metatarsal bone, forming a bunionette. Aww, isn’t that cute? No. No, it’s not.

That’s nice. Now really, how do you get them? Oh, you want to know what would force the toes in and cause a bunion? Some people are physically prone to them and can’t avoid them. Most are self-inflicted, though. I can tell you how I got mine: lots of running, and something about the way my foot strikes the ground forced the big toe on my right foot in, creating a mean little bunion.

However, a much more common cause is shoes that are too small, too tight, or shoes that force your toes into an unnatural shape. Think pointy toed stilettos (see? we told you stilettos were bad for you!). Orthoinfo says more than half of all American women have bunions; undoubtedly a large percentage of those women get their bunions from those narrow toed shoes fashion has told us to worship, even as they destroy our feet. Bad fashion! Bad fashion!

Okay, bunions are ugly, so what? I’ve got my high-heeled, pointy-toed shoes on to cover them. Not so what–your bunions can rub against the inside of your shoes, creating redness, rawness, and eventually calluses. When you take a step, your weight will fall onto your bunion, making every step painful.

What should I do about my bunions, then? If your bunion isn’t too painful, then you can live with it just by making smarter shoe choices. Wear shoes that are shaped like your foot, not like a triangle. Make sure your toes can move and aren’t squashed together. Stay with heels under three inches high. And of course, make sure you’re wearing the right size shoes! If you still need a little relief, you can buy foot pads to put under your bunion inside your shoe.

If you’re bunion is really bad and it makes you wince with every step, then you may need to consider surgery. During bunion surgery, a doctor makes a small incision near your bunion, goes in and realigns the bone and soft tissue to return to a more normal shape. Sometimes small wires, plates, or screws are required to hold everything in their new places. Bunion surgery usually only require a local anesthetic and is done on an outpatient basis. It takes an hour or less.

About Our Doctors

Our Director, NY Podiatrist, Dr. Josef J. Geldwert is Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery and is a recognized authority on the most advanced surgical techniques to correct bunions and hammertoes.

Dr. Katherine Lai is Board Certified in Foot Surgery and has lectured extensively on The Diabetic Foot and Wound Care and on the Scope and Practice of Holistic Podiatry at an Integrative Medicine conference.

Dr. Malezhik has an extensive training in all aspects of foot surgery, including complicated reconstructive procedures and aesthetically pleasing foot surgery, utilizing the latest advances in podiatric care.

Search Our Blog

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

FOLLOW US

Testimonials

“I am so grateful for having had Dr. Geldwert perform bunion surgery on both of my feet. I have complete confidence in him and continue to see him for other sports related injuries. I was cautious about having surgery for the first time, but his knowledge, patience, and skill made me completely comfortable in trusting him. And I couldn’t be any happier with the results!! When anything else feels wrong with my feet, I love that I now know to go immediately to him. He is my top choice for anyone searching for the best foot fixer/surgeon/sports doctor in NYC! Thank you, Dr. Geldwert!!!”